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Nuts! My bad is high and my good is low. I am starting Tricor in the morning...and will be on it for two months before they run more blood work to see if it is working. I am just now "getting it together" with the new anti-stress drugs..and now I add in a new one. I guess I am officially also getting OLD!!!
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I've been on cholesterol medicine for as long as I can remember...at least 25 years. When my cholesterol was taken for the very first time...was still young & thin then...it was almost 300. Most high cholesterol is hereditary and although you can lower it some with diet, exercise, weight management, etc. it can't always be controlled without meds. Not sure how high yours was, but if it was barely over 200 you might be able to get it down without the meds.
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My dh has horrific cholesterol. Same thing: lol HDL and high LDL. His doctor recently told him to loose 30 lbs before they reasses his cholesterol and give him medication. He's on a low fat diet, and taking supplements. Hopefully, he can lower it on his own...
You might want to talk to your doctor about doing something like that first, before you commit yourself to a lifetime of drug therapy and the pandora's box that can open.
Good luck!
-Lucky
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DH has high cholesterol AND high tryglicerides. A double wammy. He takes a slew of herbal supplements. There are too many bad side effects to the cholesterol meds. For me, when the list of "possible" side effects (and serious ones too, like liver damage!) is longer than the list of benefits, I see that as more of a problem.
Have you tried managing it yourself or did the doctor automatically put you on meds? How bad are your numbers?
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I had mine checked in March and it was 230. The dr. wanted to put me on Crestor but I told him I'd try to control it with diet and exercise. His nurse sent me a bunch of info. on flax seed oil and fish oil tablets - they are suppose to help with lowering cholesterol. Minute Maid also has an orange juice aimed at helping to lower cholesterol. I'm suppose to have mine checked again in October. Good luck Jennifer!
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Yes, I've been on cholesterol lowering meds for many years. My dad had his first heart attack before the age of 50 and I'm personally at high risk for heart attack. Every little bit helps. And yes, I've modified my diet to lower my cholesterol, too. I used to eat a vegetarian, very low-fat diet with actively exercising several days a week and my cholesterol test would still come back AWFUL.
Whatever you do, try to eliminate hydrogenated fats/oils from your diet. Read labels, most commercial baked goods (store bought cookies, for instance) have hydrogentated fats in them. Even partially hydrogentated fats are evil.
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I AM a vegetarian...and 18 months ago, the "bad" was over 300!! Now, it is 170....which is GREAT compared to before, but still FAILING according to the dr. I AM walking...and I AM watching what I eat....so hopefully the meds will do their part, too. I am a LOT worried still because I still am getting this feeling like someone is squeezing my heart. It doesn't happen everyday, but today it has happened 10-12 times. It goes away almost instantly, but still....very scary. I have a follow up apt. on the 25th. I am wondering if I should call them now or just wait?
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I really need to have mine checked. My Mom has high cholesterol and high blood pressure and is on meds for both. My blood pressure is on the low side but who knows about the cholesterol? I've never had bloodwork done (except pregnancy blood work and as far as I know they didn't check that). I keep telling myself to do it but I think I'm afraid to find out.
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My husband is on cholesterol medicine for the same thing. Good cholesterol is too low and bad cholesterol is too high. He started out on Tricor, then went to Advicor and now he's on Vytorin. I haven't had a physical or any blood work for a few years. I should get mine checked as well.